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06/12/2005: More on That NIMBY...
As some added background to my *whine* about the NIMBY of the Kane County Adult Corrections facility proposed for the property situated directly behind my home - is this piece from the Kane County Chronicle: Jail project more than just jail.
It’s not as much the safety issues or “neighborhood” hysteria over property values (long term or otherwise) but the COSTS of building this 777–1700 bed Beast on the proposed site.
For one "small" thing, there is a NICOR gas line and easement dissecting the property (N to S) almost in half. They can’t build it on the opposite half and create any connection tunnel to the existing Court House. (Thus they would still need to provide “secure transportation” even that short distance.)
On the side of the easement - where the Court House is located - is poor-building site soil conditions occupied by a razor wire enclosed Lead-contaminated retention pond. (Currently an ongoing lawsuit with the builder over a poorly sealed metal roof that allowed Lead to leach into this pond.) The County would need to do a major environmental clean–up and earth moving project to rehabilitate this area for any large scale building proposed. The cost just keep escalating here - don't they...???
So, to build this Proposed Jail for $43 to $47 million dollars of “guesstimated” costs (and this only the shell and structure of the building, not including extras or cost to operate it) – currently that’s the entire amount of money available for ALL county projects. These added expenses, as well as the items listed in the article linked above, will determine the feasibility of this whole project and plan.
Keeping my fingers crossed that they will be forced reconsider and pursue other options which are more cost effective and neighborhood-friendly for this entire area – as this proposed plan IS NOT.
We’ll see how impervious to financial realities this Kane County Board really is. And there is always the next election to express our dissatisfaction with the way this issue has been dealt with and the voters of Kane County.
Karen on 06.12.05 @ 07:08 AM CST
